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South Africa Soft Top

13K views 44 replies 19 participants last post by  clancypm 
#1 ·
Does anyone have experience with Soft Top Trimmers out of Buccleuch, South Africa. I have lowered my roll bar on my FFR Mk3 to fit the requirements of this top and am getting ready to purchase. Its $1550 plus $375 shipping. You can see the top being removed and put on in a youtube video if you search "Cobra soft Top". Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!!!
 
#2 ·
Are you sure that top isn't designed more for a Backdraft Cobra? I think they're a bit wider and a couple inches longer than the FFR. Not sure about the dimensions of a SuperFormance or Kirkham that they also mention on their website.
 
#17 ·
Hello Dan. My Soft Top was designed on a Backdraft, yes, however (open to correction) all Cobra's have the same size of windscreen, which my Top is controlled from and I doubt if the rear ends differ that much from within the width of the windscreen frame and material, it takes up any variances in rear end curves. Length and the windscreen angle also does not matter. My Top fits all, but for the F5 because of its roll bar height. Lower that and it will fit. I now have a smaller ST that fits the WestCoast Cobra (Gas Cap in the middle of the rear end).
 
#3 ·
also, have you looked into the top sold by Whitby's? I think it's a long wait, but people who have them really like it.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I know it’s a little bit more, but I’ve used the Rod Top a lot and have been very pleased.

John

Finally figured out how to get a full size photo on here

 

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#5 ·
Dan, Thank you for responding I will look at Whitby's. Soft Top Trimmers said I would be the first person to try this top on a FFR. All the previous FFR guys who had previously contacted him were unwilling to lower the roll bar. I have sent extensive measurements. The process requires that I custom fit the top. Soft Top trimmers sent me a manual on how to do it. My attraction to the top is the simplicity, material quality, and it comes with zip in side curtains. But most of all I like the low profile of the top. Thank you for your recommendations.
 
#8 ·
Jay, something to think about-- I have one of the original older style FFR tops. Its very close in profile to the newer one Whitby/FFR sell. At 5'8" and with my seat in a middle of the road position, height wise off the floor, my head is pretty close to the top material. Personally I can't imagine sitting in a car with one much lower. I assume you have dimensions for the proposed top? If you haven't already done so I'd run some tape or string form the roll bar to the top of the windshield at the the right height to see what kind of room you'll end up with.
 
#10 ·
Hello Jay,

I'm seriously considering a top for my MK4 roadster and since I already have dual Breeze roll bars I'm looking at this top as an option at this point. I will definitely be following your thread to see how the Soft Top Trimmers top compares. Please keep posting

Thanks

Saul

 
#11 ·
I got the top from South Africa (Soft Top Trimmers). It arrived in one week. It's very nice. High quality German material with all hardware fitting manual, drill bit and tap for snap installation, canvas punch, templet etc all very well packaged. I was surprised it came with heavy duty storage bags for the top and side curtains. Very nice quality. A memory stick was included that has 100's of step by step photos of the fitting process. I started the fitting process and it looks like its going to fit great, but I am taking my time and have been in email contact (9 hours time difference) with the owner of Soft Top Trimmers, David. He is very helpful and the nicest guy I have worked with throughout my build process. A really super guy. He happens to be installing tops on two Cobras in S. Africa now and has been sending me daily step by step photos of his work and I am following with my top.

My car is a Mk3, FE 445 stroker (carb), Tremec, 3 link, comp. dash, Mk 4 control arm update, I am going for a traditional SC look, no strip (thinking Rangoon Red). I have been driving it in gelcoat because I wanted to fit a top on it before paint. I will post my progress if anyone is interested.
 
#13 ·
I am going for a traditional SC look, no strip (thinking Rangoon Red). I have been driving it in gelcoat because I wanted to fit a top on it before paint. I will post my progress if anyone is interested.
The roadster always looked good in the classic Rangoon red color..good choice!

I'd be game to see some progress pictures. That top is about 40% less $$ wise then the ones available in N. America, so I wouldn't doubt other will be interested in it.
 
#19 ·
Looking forward to see how yours fits. Very interested and will likely order one too.

Keep us posted!

Saul
 
#21 ·
Any updates on this? I am considering this top as well (I have a street car with no rollbar). I spoke to the owner via email and he said zip-out rear window is also an option, which is something I really wanted. The price is super good but the shipping quote makes it a $2k investment.

Would love to see pics of your install and comments on the process and what you think of the product.
 
#23 ·
Guys,
The top fits my MK3. However I live in Maine so do to the cold I can not complete the fitting until spring. My garage is heated with a wood stove and I can't use contact cement with an open flame etc.

You can see from the photos that I have the front of the top clamped to the windshield. To complete the fitting I need to stretch and glue this section to the fiberglass bow that clamps to the windshield.

As I mentioned, Soft Tops has been the best vendor I have ever purchased anything from. He walked be through the fitting process and sent me tons of pics and video to help me.

I believe I am the first to fit a Soft Top to an FFR. Its not difficult, but you must follow the instructions precisely to get a tight smooth fit.

The only modifications are mounting plates for the main bow mounts to attach to the interior behind the seat and I put a spacer in the center of the rear bow to make it wider. You can see it in the pic. Also the mounting pin pattern must only be used as a reference. You need to fit the top to the car to determine the actual pin locations. And the big one: I lowered my roll bar as far as I could with out changing the mounting points. I cut off about 1.7 inches. This gave me about 1/2 inch of space between the top of the roll bar and the soft top.

I plan on finishing the fitting in the spring and driving it without paint this summer to make sure all is well before I paint the car.

Yes, its a $2,000 piece after shipping cost. I am very pleased with the top because it has a better shape then the others, the simplicity of the design, it fits in the trunk (boot), it comes with side curtains that zip on, it comes with heavy duty bags for the top and the side curtains, the material quality is excellent, Its quick to install and remove, and again Soft Tops is excellent to deal with. Hope this helps. I have tons of fitting pics if needed.
 

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#25 ·
I don't know how much I cut off the third leg to get it all to fit. I think I took off a little at a time and kept refitting until I got it right. I am talking to several MK4 owners that are considering the top. I do not know what the differences are in the MK4 that would change anything. There is a document on Soft Tops website that show the critical dimensions.
 
#26 ·
Did you have to do fiberglass work where the third leg went through the body, or does it goes through in the same place even when the roll bar is shortened?

Thanks.

Wade
 
#27 ·
Jay-

I think that top looks terrific! It looks like it fits very well, in spite of not being finished.

I look forward to you getting some warm weather so you can wrap up the installation.

I appreciate you posting the details about this, it's very nice!

Regards,

Steve
 
#29 ·
I installed Whitby top on my Factory Five a few years ago. I like the top and it has performed great. I bought a new Backdraft last summer and as a result of this thread ordered the top from Soft top trimmers. It’s on its way so I can’t comment on it yet. Looks like a well thought out top. Hopefully I made the right choice. I’ll post some pics as I install it if there’s an interest.
 
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